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Average

#1442 of 2,648 schools in NC

Ben L. Smith High School

High School · Guilford County Schools

2407 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407

Enrollment

1,397

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,442 of 2,648

In Greensboro

#44 of 80

public schools

In district

#60 of 121

Guilford County Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Ben L. Smith High School

6.1/10

High School in Greensboro · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Academy at Smith

8.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Archer Elementary

6.0/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ben L. Smith High School

Ben L. Smith High School is a public high school in Greensboro, NC, part of Guilford County Schools. Ben L.

Smith High School serves approximately 1,397 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben L. Smith High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,442 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Ben L. Smith High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Ben L. Smith High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.7Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation5.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,897
Chronic Absenteeism55.3%

Ben L. Smith High School — Students at Ben L. Smith High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
61%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
66%
ELA
49%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
51.9%
ELA
34.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How Ben L. Smith High School Compares

See how Ben L. Smith High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in NC
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
20
11 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
5.6% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·72 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
11 boys'·9 girls'·21 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2407 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ben L. Smith High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. UNCG Early/Middle College (rated 9.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy at Smith (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Greensboro, see our Greensboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy at Smith Greensboro 0.3 mi 8.0
Archer Elementary Greensboro 1.0 mi 6.0
Hunter Elementary Greensboro 1.3 mi 4.8
Guilford eLearning University Prep Greensboro 1.3 mi 7.9
Sedgefield Elementary Greensboro 1.1 mi 5.7
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro 1.2 mi 6.1
Murphey Traditional Academy Greensboro 1.3 mi 3.2
Jackson Middle Greensboro 1.4 mi 3.6
Next Generation Academy Greensboro 1.8 mi 7.7
Cyrus P Frazier Elementary Greensboro 2.0 mi 6.3
Allen Middle Greensboro 2.1 mi 4.0
Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro 2.0 mi 5.2
HOPE ACADEMY GSO Greensboro 2.2 mi 6.5
Julius I Foust Elementary Greensboro 2.1 mi 5.8
Triad Math and Science Academy Greensboro 2.2 mi 6.5
John Van Lindley Elementary Greensboro 2.8 mi 7.4
Pilot Elementary Greensboro 2.6 mi 4.6
OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greensboro 3.0 mi 6.8
Wiley Accel/Enrichment Greensboro 2.7 mi 2.5
UNCG Early/Middle College Greensboro 3.0 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,308

Median Home Value

$203,800

Median Rent

$1,113/mo

Population

52,583

College Educated

35.2%

Homeownership

47.2%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

35.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Burns High Lawndale, NC 6.1
East Burke High Connelly Springs, NC 6.1
Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC 6.1
Pine Forest High Fayetteville, NC 6.1
Rockingham County High Wentworth, NC 6.1
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ben L. Smith High School

What grades does Ben L. Smith High School serve?

Ben L. Smith High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ben L. Smith High School?

Ben L. Smith High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben L. Smith High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ben L. Smith High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ben L. Smith High School rank in NC?

Ben L. Smith High School ranks #1,442 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Ben L. Smith High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben L. Smith High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ben L. Smith High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ben L. Smith High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ben L. Smith High School a charter school?

No, Ben L. Smith High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ben L. Smith High School a Title I school?

No, Ben L. Smith High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben L. Smith High School?

99.8% of students at Ben L. Smith High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,397
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Guilford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.3%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

Guilford County Schools
District Enrollment
67,832
Schools in District
124
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,897
District Rank
#60 of 121

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